Monday, December 3, 2012

LONG WHARF THEATRE UNVEILS MAJOR RENOVATIONS

New
Haven's Long Wharf Theatre has long been touted for its outstanding
regional theater productions, but if you've enjoyed the pleasure of the
work you probably haven't enjoyed the total experience. A definite
lack of knee and leg room interfered with your comfort.

Fear no
more. Long Wharf Theatre has just completed a major renovation to its
Main Stage, which will now be known as the Claire Tow Stage in the C.
Newton Schenck III Mainstage Theatre. The Tow Foundation, endowed by
Len, Claire and daughter Emily, created a challenge grant of $1,250,000
to start the almost $4,000,000 project. According to Charles Kingsley,
chairman of the board, "the physical discomfort of the audience has been
cured once and for all." He has been attending excellent theater at
Long Wharf since he saw Arthur Miller's "The Crucible" back in 1965.

Gorden
Edelstein, who has been the Artistic Director for a decade, boasted
that the renovations were a team effort, coming in "on time and on
budget and looking good." As soon as you walk in the large glass doors,
you will be greeted by an expanded lobby area with a bar, a larger
green room and dressing rooms for the actors, a new lighting grid,
advanced heating and air conditioning systems and a larger woman's
restroom. Mr. Edelstein remarked at the press opening that "It takes a
village...all the people involved created a supportive community. The
donations from $10 to multiple thousands were incredibly moving to me."

To
Len Tow, the donor who set the project in motion. "Long Wharf is the
pinnacle of regional theater." His attachment goes back thirty years
and he is very proud to be intimately involved in the theater He joked
that he wants to play a leading role in the upcoming version of
"Hamlet." Tow called Long Wharf "an island of creativity next to a meat
market of chops and steaks...the realization of a dream."

That
theme, of its unlikely location, was continued by Mary Pepe, the chair
of the facilities committee since 2003. "Long Wharf has left a lasting
impression on me since the first day I walked in as a high school
student in 1965." She reflected on its "quirky charm" and incredible
history.

If you would like to make a donation to the renovation,
please call 203-787-4282, or Eileen Wiseman, Director of Development at
203-772-8237, or visit online at www.longwharf.org. You can name a
seat, a comfortable grey suede one, for $1500, $2500 or $5000 but
donations of any amount are most welcome.

A formal celebration
will take place at the opening of "The Killing of Sister George," a play
directed by and starring Kathleen Turner on Wednesday, December 5.
This classic farce, which plays until December 23, will showcase Ms.
Turner as a British radio star who is as different as day from night
once she is off the air. She is a nun tending the poor and sick on the
radio by day and a hard living, cigar chewing, gin swilling tart by
night.

Come see the new improved Long Wharf Theatre for yourself, soon and often.